Discover KSL.com: Utah’s Trusted News & Marketplace

KSL.com is more than just a website: it’s a vital part of Utah’s digital community. Serving as both a trusted news source and a robust local marketplace, KSL.com bridges information and commerce for thousands of Utah residents. Whether someone is looking for breaking news, selling their car, or buying a home, KSL.com is often the go-to platform. In this blog post, we will dive deep into what KSL.com is, its history, how it functions, its strengths and challenges, and why it continues to matter in Utah’s online space.

The Origins and Ownership of KSL.com

Deseret Digital Media & LDS Church Connection
KSL.com is owned and operated by Deseret Digital Media (DDM), which is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, itself affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
This ownership gives the platform strong local roots and a community-centered approach.

Evolution from Broadcast to Digital
Originally, KSL’s name comes from its broadcasting history — KSL has been a legacy broadcaster in Utah (radio and TV) for many decades, and over time it expanded into the digital world.
When DDM was formed (in 2009), it took over the digital operations, including KSL.com.
This background makes KSL.com a hybrid — deeply local, yet digitally modern.

KSL.com as a News Platform

Local Journalism & Coverage
One of KSL.com’s core pillars is its news section. It covers local Utah news, politics, sports, human-interest stories, and more. As a digital-first news outlet, it has embraced multimedia: video, live streams, and local reporting are key.
KSL.com has also earned recognition in journalism — for example, it has been acknowledged by the Society of Professional Journalists for its quality.

User Experience & Mobile Access
On the KSL.com News app, the layout is user-friendly and familiar, structured like a traditional newspaper’s sections.
Users can also submit their own photos or videos via a feature called “iWitness,” allowing the community to contribute directly to local news coverage.
This makes KSL.com not just a news receiver, but a participatory platform.

The Classified Marketplon ace KSL.com

Wide Range of Categories
KSL.com’s classified marketplace (KSL Classifieds) is very comprehensive. It covers cars, homes, jobs, services, and more.
There are reportedly 250,000+ active listings, according to their website, showing how active and varied the marketplace is.

Trust & Safety Features
To boost trust, KSL.com introduced Verified Profiles.
Verified Profiles help buyers and sellers trust that they are interacting with real people, which is especially important in a local marketplace.
Another major feature is the Messages system, which was launched to reduce scams.
Through this, users with verified email addresses can communicate inside KSL’s ecosystem without having to share their personal phone numbers or external contact info. This minimizes risk.
Also, if a user reports messages that seem fraudulent, KSL’s support team investigates and can warn others accordingly.

How to Post an Ad
It’s quite straightforward:

On mobile: Open KSL Classifieds app → Tap “+Add Listing” → Fill in details, accept terms, choose upgrades (like “Ribbon” or “Featured Days”) → Activate.
On desktop: Go to KSL.com → Hover over profile icon → Click “Add Listing” → Select “Classifieds” → Fill in required info → Pick upgrades → Activate.
These upgrades are paid: for example, you can pin your listing to stay at top (Featured Days) or highlight it with a ribbon.

Size & Reach
KSL Classifieds claims millions of users per year. According to their own page, they have 11.9 million users annually and 116 million page views monthly (on average) for their listings.
This shows that KSL.com is not just a small local board — it’s a high-traffic, active marketplace.

Business Model: How KSL.com Makes Money

Advertising & Deals
Deseret Digital Media, through KSL.com, monetizes both its news and its classifieds. On the news side, they run traditional digital ads. But on the classifieds side, they also offer “Deals” — group buy deals for local businesses.This “Deals” model helps KSL connect local businesses with their engaged audience. Back in 2010, KSL’s first group deal sold 2,000 passes to Utah Olympic Park.

Upgrades for Listings
As noted, users posting ads can pay for visibility: ribbon banners or featured days on their listings.
This model encourages both casual sellers and more serious listing posters (like businesses or professional sellers) to pay a little more for better exposure.

User Trust & Loyalty as Value
Because KSL.com is trusted and local, its value proposition for advertisers is strong: they reach engaged Utah residents who use the site for real transactions and local news. The dual nature (news + marketplace) is a big strength, because it brings consistent traffic and user engagement.

Community Engagement & Commenting

Comment Boards & Moderation
KSL.com’s news articles allow for comments, but these are moderated. There is an automated system that estimates the “risk” of rejection of a comment, giving users feedback so they can edit their comment before posting.
This helps maintain civility and reduces spam or hate speech.

User Feedback & Criticism
While many appreciate the moderation, some have criticized it. On Reddit, for example, users have raised concerns that:

The mobile app update made it harder to find saved searches.
There are complaints about scammers and bots contacting sellers. > “Listing an ad on KSL always results in a deluge of out‑of‑state and foreign scammers.”
Some users argue Facebook Marketplace is now more useful than KSL, because of volume and ease of use.
These criticisms are real, but KSL has responded by introducing features like verified profiles and the Messages system.

Challenges and Criticism

Scams & Fraud
Even with safety mechanisms, scammers remain a concern. Several Reddit users mention that they receive suspicious messages and low-ball offers after posting items.Some people used to share their phone numbers in listings, but that exposed them to spam — hence KSL’s move to internal messaging.
Verifying email addresses and moderating reported fraud are some of their countermeasures.

App Usability Issues
Updates to the KSL Classifieds app have drawn criticism. In one Reddit thread, a user said:

“I have to go to favorites, then save searches, then click on each individual search … to run it.”
Another user:
“The new update … I can’t figure out how to see what I actually care about.”
These usability issues risk alienating longtime users who preferred the older, more straightforward interface.

Competition from Big Players
Facebook Marketplace and other big platforms are serious competitors. Some users feel that KSL’s marketplace is less active or “dying” compared to these bigger platforms.
Maintaining a local, trusted edge is key for KSL to remain relevant.

Why KSL.com Still Matters

Local Trust & Community
Because of its deep roots in Utah (broadcast background, local news), KSL.com is seen as a trustworthy platform for locals. Many users prefer it over generic alternatives because they believe it’s more “real”: the people are from the same community, not far-off strangers.

Safety-Driven Features
Newer security features like Verified Profiles and the Messages system indicate KSL’s commitment to reducing fraud.
These features help build confidence among users who may otherwise avoid classifieds due to scam risk.

Combined Value: News + Marketplace
KSL.com’s dual role as both a news website and a classifieds marketplace is a big differentiator. Users don’t just come to buy or sell — they come to stay informed. This synergy helps KSL maintain a strong, engaged user base.

Scalability & Reach for Local Businesses
For local businesses in Utah, KSL.com is a powerful platform. They can run ads, feature deals, or sponsor content and reach an audience that is already local. For users, this means access to deals and services tailored to their community.

How to Use KSL.com Effectively & Safely

Tips for Sellers

Verify your profile: Complete your profile to build trust with potential buyers. (Use KSL’s Verified Profiles feature.)
Use the Messages feature: Communicate via KSL’s internal messaging to avoid sharing your personal contact.
Select listing upgrades: Use “Ribbon” or “Featured Days” to increase visibility.
Write a clear, honest description: Be transparent about item condition — it helps ward off fake offers.

Tips for Buyers

Check for verified profiles: If a seller is verified, it’s more likely they are serious and trustworthy.
Ask questions via Messages: Request more photos, meet in person if possible, and don’t share too much info too soon.
Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraud, report it through KSL’s system so they can monitor and take action.
Use local meetups: Whenever possible, meet in safe, public places for transactions.

Using KSL for News

Use the KSL News app to browse different sections like local politics, sports, world news, etc. support.ksl.com
Use the “iWitness” feature to submit newsworthy photos or videos to the newsroom. support.ksl.com
Bookmark or save articles for later reading.

Future Outlook for KSL.com

Potential Growth Areas

More security innovations: KSL might continue to invest in fraud detection, AI-based message filtering, or even more robust user verification.
Expansion of deals and local commerce: The “Deals” model could grow further, helping small Utah businesses reach more customers.
Enhanced mobile experience: Addressing the UI/UX concerns raised by users with app updates could re-engage longtime users.
Community journalism: With features like iWitness, KSL can further leverage user-generated content to expand its local news coverage.

Sustainability in a Competitive Landscape
KSL.com’s strength lies in its local focus. As national platforms (e.g., Facebook Marketplace) increase competition, KSL’s ability to maintain trust, invest in safety tools, and emphasize its community roots will be critical to staying relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is KSL.com safe to use for buying and selling?

Yes, KSL.com has built-in safety tools like Verified Profiles and an internal Messaging system. These help reduce the risk of fraud by allowing communication without sharing personal contact details.

How do I post a listing on KSL.com?

You can post via the KSL Classifieds app or the website. Fill in your item details, add optional upgrades (like featured days), and activate your listing. support.ksl.com

What kind of items can I buy or sell on KSL.com Classifieds?

A wide variety: cars, homes, jobs, services, and more. KSL Classifieds supports many categories, making it very versatile.

How does KSL.com make money?

It earns revenue through advertising, classifieds listing upgrades (like ribbons or featured posts), and “Deals” / group buying offers.

Can I trust the news on KSL.com?

Yes — KSL.com is a well-established local news platform with a history of quality journalism. It has won awards and delivers breaking, local, and multimedia stories.

Conclusion

KSL.com is a powerful example of how a digital platform can serve both as a local news leader and a trusted marketplace. Backed by Deseret Digital Media and rooted in Utah’s community values, it offers a unique blend of journalism and commerce. While it faces modern challenges such as scam prevention, app usability, and competition from national platforms its commitment to safety, transparency, and local engagement sets it apart.For Utah residents, KSL.com is more than just a website: it’s a digital town square where people stay informed, sell their items, and connect with one another. For local businesses, it’s a prime channel to reach engaged community members. In the increasingly global world of online platforms, KSL.com’s local focus remains its greatest strength.